Get to know LPGA's number-one ranked golfer, Stacy Lewis, before the Meijer LPGA Classic in August

If you missed the announcement, the Ladies Professional Golf Association is making its grand return to Michigan via the Meijer LPGA Classic Presented by Kraft at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont—a suburb located outside of Grand Rapids.

The event, which runs Aug. 4 through 10, will bring the best female golfers in the world to West Michigan. One of those golfers you can expect to see will be Stacy Lewis, whom is currently ranked number one in the LPGA.

Lewis's climb to the top is a remarkable one, and not just because her golf resume is replete with many victories, including the 2007 NCAA championship and most recently the ShopRite LPGA Classic this past June.

Years ago, forecasting her rise to number one would have seemed improbable. Diagnosed with scoliosis at age 11, she later went on to be treated by a spinal fusion and spent 6 and a half years in a back brace; thus missing her first collegiate golf season.

With doubts of even being able to swing a golf club again, her drive and passion for golf proved to be inexorable and she now enjoys her time spent on the LPGA tour.

"I love my job," said Lewis. "The best part is all the people I have met along the way, from current to past players, sponsors, and the families I sometimes stay with on the road. I also have been able to travel and see so many places around the world."

A typical day for Lewis is obviously going to have many golf-centric happenings—and even more so during tournament weeks.

She said the most important thing is to get her workouts and golf practices accomplished. With the available time left, she participates in extra things for sponsors.

When it comes to practice, Lewis said the LPGA and PGA are much different. She said while her and her fellow LPGA golfers want to beat each other on the course, they constantly encourage each other and celebrate with one another when they win.

"We help each other a lot, whether it's something simple like checking alignment or how to hit a certain shot," she said. "For the most part, we all get along and want to see the other person be successful."

Lewis said the demanding grind of being a LPGA golfer makes it almost more of a mental sport than physical.

"Golf is all about the highs and lows," she said. "You have to learn how to ride out the bad holes or rounds and keep yourself in the tournament because tomorrow could be completely different."

This busy and highs-and-lows atmosphere has led to Lewis making sure to leave time for some days off—which are spent visiting family and friends, fishing, paddle-boarding, and partaking in other relaxing activities.

She also makes sure to find time to respond to letters and emails from kids with scoliosis—a topic she is also obviously passionate about.

"I get countless letters looking for encouragement or asking questions about wearing a brace or having surgery," she said. "There are even times at tournaments where I meet with kids whom are about to have surgery. A lot of times they are pretty scared and just looking for someone who has been through what they are going through."

Her helpfulness with those battling scoliosis falls in line with the LPGA's desire to be part of the community. At the introductory presser for the Meijer LPGA Classic, Kraig Kann, chief communications officer for the LPGA, said the association wants to accomplish things that matter.

Lewis's work beyond the LPGA and into things that matter not only includes her work with those with scoliosis, but the creation of the Women's Leadership Summit, set to coincide with the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

Lewis will serve on the board of the summit, which will bring together the top women in business, government, and sports to promote the ascension of women in the workplace and society.

"This is something that has the potential to make a huge difference for the LPGA and women in the business world," she said. "I'm hopeful this summit opens doors for future LPGA sponsors and tournaments. But, the whole goal of the summit and the tournament is to raise the women's platform and get more women in leadership positions."

The LPGA is continuing to grow, and events like the Women's Leadership Summit, along with new tournaments like the Meijer Classic, will help further that effort. Lewis said since she's joined the tour, the LPGA is more global and more of a business in the last 10 years.

When the Meijer Classic makes its inaugural appearance this August, it's an opportunity for Michiganders to come out and see the LPGA's growth, world-class golf, and of course all the wonderful players like Lewis.

It's also an opportunity for the community to have fun while supporting an important cause: feeding the hungry. The tournament will coincide with the Meijer Simply Give program, which has generated more than $9 million for food pantries through the Midwest since November 2008.